The reintroduction of road relay championships for young athletes at Christ's Hospital, Horsham last Saturday received good support.

There were 23 teams, enough to suggest that there will be another championship next year.

As most under-17 athletes can compete in the senior events, which were also held last Saturday, this year's event was restricted to the under-15s and under-13s.

Administrator Keith May said: "I was pleased to see so many youngsters in action. Team wise the support was as good, if not better, than for the County Cross Country championships.

"I certainly think it is worth holding these relays again next year. At just over one mile we are not asking them to run too far and after a tough cross country season a run on the road should hold considerable attraction."

The foot-and-mouth outbreak meant that youngsters lost the final Sussex League cross country races, suggesting that support is the result of race starvation.

As all the races were held to-gether it was interesting to note just how little variation there is in the ability of the sexes, particularly among the under-13s.

The boys are emerging that little stronger and faster than their female rivals, but the difference is not yet that great and without doubt the closer competition will have proved a greater benefit to the girls.

Charlotte Browning was in a class of her own and only one boy, from both age groups, ran faster than her.

On Monday Steyning will be gripped by race walking fever as it has been for the past 70 years, but this year there is a little difference.

This year will be the 79th year of the event. The boys race will celebrate its 70th anniversary but the girls races were not introduced until 1983.

The main event, a 15-mile race through Ashurst, Partridge Green, Henfield and Beeding before finishing back in the High Street, starts at 2.00pm and has attracted an entry of more than 40 walkers from Steyning and the surrounding villages.

Record holder Darrell Stone and Donald Bearman, who are both hoping to be selected for this year's European Cup in Slovakia next month, are among the entrants.

Incorporated into the main race is a relay for local teams of three who each walk various distances.

With an increasing number of triathletes joining Steyning, the club are holding a duathlon but this event is not restricted to Steyning and its surrounding villages.

The triathletes will complete a 5km run followed by a 32km cycle and a run of 3km. The runs take place within Steyning while the cycle ride takes in Bramber, Small Dole, Henfield, Partridge Green and Ashhurst before finishing back in Steyning.

The duathlon starts at 1.10pm, but the day's action starts at 10.30am with the boys race.